Self-Watering Pots vs. Traditional Pots: Which Is Better?

self watering vs traditional pot

Indoor plants are very pleasing to our eyes, especially lovely flowers. It adds life to our homes, and every green adds refreshment to our surroundings. It is very satisfying as we wake up early in the morning, and the first we see is the ever-healthy indoor plants with their alluring pots.

But which is best for our indoor plants? Is it the self-watering planters or the traditional planters? 

In this article, we will guide you on the best planters for your plants at home. We gather data to help you with your problems, specifically your plants. 

Factors Self Watering Planters Indoor Traditional Planters Indoor
What is it? The self watering pot is a very simple but advanced product. It can water itself because it has a reservoir that stores water which supports the plants even if you’re on vacation for days. These planters are the most used by the homeowners because of its availability. It could be made of clay, plastic, or ceramic.
Advantages
  • Saves water
  • Offer a consistent supply of water
  • Keep the roots moisturised
  • Nutrients are preserved in the soil
  • Provides some protection from temperature changes
  • Comes in a variety of attractive colors and styles to choose from.
Disadvantages
  • Costly
  • May harm plants caused by mineral salts build up
  • Plants require more frequent watering.
  • Drainage issues
  • May cause roots rot
Types
  • Ceramic
  • Fiberglass
  • Plastic
  • Ceramic
  • Terracotta
  • Fiberglass
  • Concrete
  • Wood
  • Metal
Water Maintenance Every after 2 weeks  Requires frequent watering

Self-Watering Planter Indoor vs. Traditional Planters Indoor

Self-watering planter indoor is a container consists of two parts:

  • Outer pot serves as a water reservoir located at the bottom and stores water that serves as the source for the plants. 
  • Inner pot –  The bottom half of the inner pot, also known as the planter, includes holes, and others have a string connected to the water reservoir. To keep them hydrated, the string acts as a wicking mechanism, transferring the stored water to the growing media.

Self-watering pots are appropriate for your indoor plants and the best pots for succulents. Even if you are so busy, you can still make your plants grow healthy and make your life easier with these self-watering pots. You need to fill up the water reservoir once in a while. And reduce the trouble of watering your plants according to their needs. 

Self-watering pots are far better than watering your plants directly. The hole in the planter will act as a drainage mechanism for excess water while also providing the proper amount of moisture to your plant.

Your plant will also benefit from the water reservoir in the outer pot. Water is transported straight to the root rather than the leaves, which is better for preventing fungal and plant disease.

The homeowner’s traditional planters indoors are the most used because of their availability. There are many different options for garden planter materials, including clay, plastic, and resin-based pots.

For certain, both clay and plastics are famous, but they are sure to cause you and your plants’ trouble in a few seasons. On the other hand, resin-based planters offer more outstanding durability to withstand the test of time.

Advantages of Self Watering Planter

  1. Best self-watering planters save more water than the traditional ones. It is imperative to conserve water nowadays because of the uncertainties that global warming has brought. Its reservoir is the thing that self-watering planters save most of the water. The excess water that the plants cannot take will be stored in the reservoir, so no water will be wasted. 
  2. Offer a consistent supply of water. The water from the reservoir will support the plants’ needs. They do not allow the plants to suffer from extreme moisture fluctuations that can occur otherwise. Even in self-watering hanging planters, plants still grow healthy.
  3. This self-watering planter is beneficial for all plants, not only for succulents. This keeps the roots moisturized because the plant’s roots can reach the water stored in the reservoir, making the plant stunted growth and be healthy throughout the plant’s life cycle. 
  4. Nutrients are preserved in the soil. Overwatering leads to the loss of nutrients. But this self-watering planter ensures no overwatering because the excess water will go directly into the reservoir and be stored. That’s why the nutrients do not get washed away and are preserved in the soil compared to a traditional container.

Advantages of Traditional Planter

  1. Traditional planter is typically made of wood, plastic, or fiberglass. It protects plants from wind and cold weather while providing some retention to help plants survive longer in hot water.
  2. The traditional planter is an excellent medium for your plants. Not only does this planter add a touch of style to your home or office but it also helps keep your plants healthy by making sure they get the right amount of sunlight and moisture. Available in various colors and sizes.

Disadvantages of Self Watering Planter

  1. This self-watering planter is highly economical; they are more expensive than the traditional one. But prices will entirely depend on the size and style you choose. It is more costly because of its features: the reservoir that supports the plants’ growth. But you can save by making a DIY self-watering planter that is very easy; all you have to do is look for unused containers.
  2. The most significant disadvantage of self-watering planters is the potential for concentration of mineral salts in the potting mix, which can occur because water is repeatedly drawn up from below and evaporated off the top, leaving dissolved minerals behind. Over time these mineral salts can build up and become toxic to the plants.

Disadvantages of Traditional Planter

  1. Drainage issues, imagine drilling holes in traditional pots and not breaking them all. It’s more difficult to avoid root rot, under-watering, and over-watering without using a self-watering planter.
  2. May cause root rot 

Types Self Watering Planter

  • Ceramic
  • Fiberglass
  • Plastic

Types of Traditional Planter

  • Ceramic
  • Terracotta
  • Fiberglass
  • Concrete
  • Wood
  • Metal

Water Maintenance for Self Watering Planter

Self-watering planter has a built-in reservoir at the bottom that stores excess water and offers less effort to maintain plants’ hydration. Most self-watering planters can maintain hydration for up to 15 days without frequent watering. And that’s the best thing about having this type of planter that makes every homeowner 

Water Maintenance for Traditional Planter

Traditional planters are primarily used as outdoor herb garden planters need to be watered frequently. Plants with this type of pot need to be watered daily, especially in the summer season, where the temperature is scorching and humid that drowns our plants quickly.